The injury bug has once again caught American midfielder Stuart Holden as he is expected to be sidelined 6 to 9 months after undergoing another operation to repair ligaments in his right knee.

The 28-year-old was attempting to make his return to action last week with Bolton Wanderers' under-21 team against Everton when he was forced off the field with a knee injury.

There was hope that the Scotland-born man's injury was minor, but that all changed after he underwent various tests to determine the severity of the injury.

Holden underwent surgery in Los Angeles on Monday. He was operated on by Dr. Bert Mandelbaum, the same doctor who operated on him last summer.

"Unfortunately, Stuart's knee has gone. His surgeon has had a look and has deemed this to be the best course of action," said Bolton head coach Dougie Freedman on the team's official website. "We're all obviously very disappointed for Stuart, but he's a warrior and a fighter and someone who knows exactly what he wants to achieve."

Freedman added that everyone at Bolton was right behind him.

The former Houston Dynamo player's injury problems started back in a March 2010 exhibition game between the United States and the Netherlands when a horrific tackle by Dutch defender Nigel de Jong broke his right leg. However, he made it back in time to make the U.S. national team's 23-man roster for the 2010 World Cup.

He then injured his left knee in March 2011 in a game against Manchester United after a tackle from defender Jonny Evans. He would return in January 2013 to make three substitute appearances for Bolton before going out on loan to Sheffield Wednesday.

Holden made his return to the U.S. national team in an exhibition against Belgium in May last year and played much during the 2013 CONCACAF Gold Cup before going down again with an injury.

Very sad. Holden was always one of my favorites but this probably has retirement written all over it.

Nightwind15

Wednesday March 12, 2014 10:52 am

Stuart, I am so sorry. Genes can be a wonderful thing in a career or a terrible thing. I think it is time to hang up the cleats my friend. You will be missed as a player and and influence on the USA squad.

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